Interview Experience: Deputy Maintenance Manager DACH at HelloFresh

I recently interviewed for the position of Deputy Maintenance Manager DACH at HelloFresh in Magdeburg, Germany, and wanted to share my insights into the process. The role is highly focused on maintenance management in automated environments, including production systems and sorting conveyors. Here’s a detailed account of the interview process, along with the types of questions I faced.

1. Initial Application and Screening

The first step involved submitting my resume through the HelloFresh career portal. A few days later, I received a call from a recruiter who briefly discussed my background, experience in maintenance management, and my interest in the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region. They also asked some basic questions about my leadership experience and technical skills.

Key Questions from the Recruiter:

• “Why are you interested in working at HelloFresh?”
• “Can you briefly describe your experience with automated systems like conveyors or sorting machines?”
• “What leadership experience do you have in managing maintenance teams?”

This was mainly to gauge my fit for the role and assess if I met the basic qualifications.

2. First Technical Round (Phone Interview with Hiring Manager)

After the initial screening, I was invited to a phone interview with the hiring manager. The interview lasted around 45 minutes and was more technical in nature. The manager focused on my previous experience with automated systems, maintenance management software (CMMS), and my understanding of predictive maintenance techniques.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Automated Systems: I was asked to explain my experience with automated production systems, particularly those involving sorting and conveyor mechanisms. They wanted to ensure I had the technical expertise to manage such systems.

  Example Question: “Can you describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a failure in an automated system? How did you approach it?”

• Maintenance Strategies: I was asked about my experience with preventive and predictive maintenance strategies. They emphasized the importance of maximizing system uptime and minimizing downtime in a high-volume production environment.

  Example Question: “How would you implement a preventive maintenance strategy for a large-scale automated system?”

• CMMS Usage: As the position required familiarity with maintenance management systems, the interviewer asked about my experience using CMMS tools to track maintenance schedules and equipment performance.

  Example Question: “How do you use CMMS to optimize maintenance tasks and track system performance?“

3. Second Round: System Design and Operational Scenarios

The second round was a virtual interview, which focused on system design and handling operational scenarios. This was a more in-depth interview to evaluate how I would manage maintenance challenges at scale, particularly for HelloFresh’s automated production lines.

Key Topics Covered:

• System Design for Maintenance: I was asked to design a maintenance strategy for a facility that produces large volumes of food. The goal was to ensure all production systems (like sorting machines and conveyors) are operational with minimal downtime.

  Example Question: “How would you design a system to monitor and maintain a fleet of automated sorting systems? How would you ensure the team is proactive in detecting issues?”

• Cost Control in Maintenance: Since HelloFresh emphasized budget management, the interviewer asked about cost-effective maintenance strategies.

  Example Question: “What methods would you use to reduce maintenance costs without sacrificing the reliability of the equipment?”

• Safety Standards and Culture: As part of the role, I was asked to discuss how I would implement safety standards and promote a safety-first culture among the team.

  Example Question: “Tell us about a time you led a team in ensuring workplace safety during maintenance operations.”

4. Final Round: Behavioral and Leadership Focus

The final round was a more behavioral interview with the director of maintenance. The focus here was on leadership skills, conflict resolution, and team management.

Key Areas Discussed:

• Team Development: I was asked about my approach to developing team members and ensuring continuous improvement in their skills. The interviewers were keen to understand how I would contribute to the team’s growth and motivation.

  Example Question: “How do you identify potential in your team and ensure they are continuously developing in their roles?”

• Stakeholder Communication: Since the role acts as the bridge between the maintenance team and management, I was asked how I would handle communication between different stakeholders, especially in case of conflicts or misalignments.

  Example Question: “Describe a situation where you had to mediate between different teams or stakeholders. How did you handle it?”

• Handling Pressure: I was also asked how I managed high-pressure situations, particularly when facing maintenance challenges that could impact production.

  Example Question: “Describe a high-pressure situation you faced in a previous maintenance role. How did you manage the situation and ensure the equipment was operational?“

5. Offer and Follow-Up

After completing all the rounds, I was waiting for feedback, and it took a bit longer than expected. However, when I did hear back, they provided feedback on my strengths, like my clear communication and strong problem-solving approach, but also mentioned areas for improvement, such as the need to better articulate some aspects of my system design process.

Common Questions You Might Encounter:

Technical Questions:

• How do you ensure the reliability and availability of automated production systems?
• Describe your experience managing maintenance budgets and procurement strategies for spare parts.
• What role does data analytics play in maintenance management, and how have you used data in your previous roles?
• How do you handle a situation where a critical piece of equipment breaks down during peak production hours?
• Explain your experience with predictive maintenance and how it can reduce downtime.
• What steps would you take to foster a safety-first culture in your maintenance team?

Preparation Tips:

• Familiarize with Automated Systems: If you’re not already familiar with them, study how automated production and sorting systems work, as they will be central to the role.
• Understand CMMS Software: Make sure you’re comfortable using maintenance management software, as it’s crucial for tracking tasks and managing team workloads.
• Brush Up on Leadership: Expect leadership-focused questions that will test your ability to motivate and develop your team while maintaining high safety and performance standards.